Chapter 6: Conclusion
The Future of Japan’s Impact Economy: Will it Hold, Fold, or be Bold? The concept of 不撓不屈 ( futō fukutsu ) describes a person who remains steadfast and courageous, even in the face of overwhelming difficulty, danger, or injustice. It’s used to praise people who stand up for their beliefs without fear and who persevere through adversity without giving up. It shows moral or mental strength under pressure. Japan is immersed in a web of wicked problems, including a super- aging population, climate change, loss of food and fisheries security, gender inequality, child poverty, and a lack of affordable housing. Ongoing threats of a high United States tariff may severely impact virtually every aspect of Japan’s economy, Japanese companies are also receiving geopolitical pressure to jettison “woke” investments that support DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance), and United Nations SDGs (UN Sustainable Development Goals). 1 This pressure comes at a time when Japan is recognized as a global leader promoting sustainability, ESG, and the SDGs. Hosting Osaka Expo 2025 “Designing Future Society for Our Lives” demonstrates a commitment to co-creation and collaboration through an international exchange of ideas and technologies. 2 Overarching goals are to “bring together global wisdom, promote investment, foster innovation, and activate regional economies.” 3 The subthemes center on “Saving Lives”—focused on issues of healthcare, well-being, and extending
“Never bending, never breaking.”
不撓不屈 ( futō fukutsu ) 不 (fu): not 撓 (tō): to bend or yield 不 (fu): not 屈 (kutsu): to be crushed or submit
201
Ten Years in the Making
Powered by FlippingBook